Having excellent health is probably the best gift a person can ever get. You get to enjoy life to its fullest. Medigap Plans fill in the gaps in Medicare. These plans help with co-pay charges that Medicare doesn’t cover. Faced with the importance of meeting your health care needs, you may opt to get these preventive care services to protect your health.

Now that Medicare offers 100 percent coverage for preventive care, you may question the need for Medicare Supplement Insurance while your health is good. Even if you now enjoy good health, it’s a fact of life that we’re more likely to face health problems as we age. If you apply for Medicare Supplemental Insurance after your health begins to deteriorate, you may have to pay higher premiums. You could even be denied coverage if you have pre-existing conditions, unless you apply during open enrollment.

During open enrollment periods, you cannot be charged higher rates and your application cannot be declined due to a pre-existing condition. Outside of the grace period, insurance companies are permitted to charge you a higher rate or refuse your application.

Having just Medicare coverage without a Medigap Plan to fill in the gaps means that you will have to pay for 20 percent of all doctor bills. Medicare only pays for 80 percent of a pre-determined rate for doctor services. In contrast, a Medigap Plan would pay that 20 percent for you. You can see what other gaps in Medicare that Medigap Insurance will take care for you on our website.

Wiley Long is founder and president of Medigap Advisors, and is passionate about helping people navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. He is the author of The Medicare Playbook: Designing Your Successful Health Coverage Strategy, a clear and simple explanation so you can make the most of your Medicare coverage. For more information visit www.MediGapAdvisors.com.